I usually start with the purpose of the quilt.

Who is it for?
What is the purpose?
Will it be a heavily used quilt?

Then knowing who it is for, I can determine the pattern and fabrics.

Seems to work for me this way easiest.

(I love the new fabric feel too....might be the reason for the pile of fabric)

That's a good method. I make quilts for myself (family incl.) but wanting to use the fabric and then finding how to use it makes sense.

Try. It won't hurt anything. My son just came to visit and showed me how to post a picture. I just couldn't make sense of the directions.
:oops: :oops: :oops:

As for deciding "what with what?", find a quilt you like and use it for inspiration. Don't make a carbon copy but see if you have something in your stash that might work. Don't fret. It's a learning experience......experienced quilters make sample blocks to evaluate pattern and fabric.

Cutting is such a committment but I shouldn't be such a cuttophobe.

You're right. And if I screw up there is always more beautiful fabric in the store!

I have a fairly large stash now, so I usually, though not always, start with the fabric. I get a "feel" for what pattern will suit it. Then I start looking through books and magazines with only that group of fabrics in mind, something will usually jump out at me, if not, I don't force it, I will just keep looking maybe for weeks before I find just the right way to use the fabric. If I do see a pattern I love, I will go to my stash and look through it with that pattern in mind and see if some group of fabrics "jump" out at me. I have my fabric stored in groups that I intend to use together, so it is easier to envision them in a quilt without going through all my fabrics individually. Once I have the basic idea and fabrics set, I might need to add to the fabrics or take something out that doesn't work. This is the most fun part of quilting for me.

Usually I find a pattern and then get the fabric.

The right pattern is the one that calls to you. I don't think there is really such a thing as the "right pattern". You are doing the work, so it needs to please you. If you are gifting it then you may want to consider the person who is getting it, in your decision. I let the fabric tell me what it wants to be. Remember, quilting is SUPPOSED to be fun, so don't make a big fuss about your decisions.

Success! Ipads don't work for this. Had to use laptop.

Pattern - most of the time.